Buttonhole-sewing machine.



G. S. HILL.

BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29. 19:3.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

G. S. HILL.

BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE.

\ APPLICATION FILED APR. 29. l9l3. L '77 588o PatentedSept. 3, 191%.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. S. HILL.

BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29. 19I3.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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%W, aw YV K G. S. HILL.

BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29. I913. 1,2??,58& Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEEI 4.

GEORGE S. HILL, 0F STMFFOBD, NEW,HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEETS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PA'IERSON, NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

BUTTONHOLE-SEWING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Original application filed February 10, 19 12, Serial No. 676,767. Divided and this application filed April 29,

1918. Serial No. 764,877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. HILL a citizen of the United States, residing. at Strafi'ord, in the county of Stra'fi'ord and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buttonhole-Sewin Machines; and I do hereby declare the fol owin to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to buttonhole sewing machines of that class in which a work holding clamp and a stitch forming mechanism are relatively movable to form over-edge stitches. extending along the sides and about the ends of the buttonhole.

The present application is a division of application No. 676,767, filed February 10, 1912, for buttonhole sewing machines.

The object of the invention is to provide novel and improved mechanism for opening and closin the work holding clamps of machines of t e above type, and to that end the invention comprises the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

The various features of the invention will be understood from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the machine lllustrated therein.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a buttonhole sewing machine embodying the features of the invention in their preferred forms;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view, the section being taken below the head of the machine; and

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view showmg the parts which operate upon the work.

The machine illustrated comprises generally a work clampfor. holdingthe material to be operated upon, a cutter for cutting a buttonhole inthe material, stitch forming mechanism comprising a straighteye-pointed upper needle, a curved-e epointed under needle, and a cooperating looper, and mechanisms for operating the clamp, cutter, and stitch forming mechanism and for relatively moving them to propthen sewin erly position the material for cutting and the buttonhole, and for relatively feedlng and turning the clamp, and stitch forming mechanism during the operation of the stitch forming mechanism to form over-edge stitches extending alon the sides and about the ends of the button ole. The relative movements referred to are secured in the machine illustrated by movement of the work clamp and by turning the stitch formin mechanism.

The operative parts of the machine shown in the drawings are carried by a frame .1 supported on a base 2 to which the frame is connected by trunnions 3 so that it may be swung up to give access to the parts on its under side which are normally inclosed and protected by the base. Thework clamping devices comprise work supporting plates 4 arranged to pass on opposite sides of the stitch forming mechanism and connected to the clamp carriage 5 by the pivot screws 6. The work is clamped on the plates 4 by clamping jaws 7 pivoted on the ends of the clamp carrying arms 8. The clamp arms are pivotally supported in blocks 9 which are provided with ribs engaging grooves in the plates 4, and are held in adjusted position on the plates by the clamping screws 11 which pass through slots in the blocks. The work supporting plates 4 are forced normally toward each other by the spring-pressed bars 12 which are mounted in supports 13 rising from the clamp carrier 5, and are provided with depending ends engaging grooves in the plates. When the machine is at rest the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 2 with the clamps 7 open to receive the material and to position it in proper relation to the buttonhole cutting devices. After the material is placed between the clamps and the work supporting plates .4, and the machine is started, the cutting devices are operated to cut the buttonhole. The movement of the cutter is also utilized to close the work holding clamps, thus simplifying the clamp operating devices and reducing the number of operating cams. After the buttonhole is cut and the work clamped, the clamp carriage is moved forward to bring the buttonhole into proper relation to the stitch forming mechanism.

The devices for cutting the buttonhole comprise a lower cutter block 22 which is supported upon the front end of a. tongue 23 projecting forward from a block 19 secured to the turret bracket 21, and a cutter blade or die 24 secured in the end of an arm 25 which projects forward from a yoke 26. The ends of the yoke are pivotally supported on trunnions 27 carried by lugs 28 rising from the frame 1 (Figs. 1 and 3). A lever 29 is pivoted to the rear side of the .yoke, and one end of this lever is arranged to engage a'cam 30 formed on the upper surface of the cam carrying gear 31. The other end of the lever bears against a set screw 32 on the yoke, which may be adjusted to bring the cutter into proper operative relation with the under cutter block when the end of the lever 29 rides on to the high part of the cam 30. The tongue 23 and cutter block 22 are firmly supported during the action of the cutterby a plate 23' which is secured to the top of the under-needle turret.

The devices for operating the work holding clam) comprise arms 33 carried by a rock sha t 34 and engaging slots 35 in the clamp arms 8 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The rock shaft 34 is mounted in bearings formed in the supports 13 on the clamp carriage, and is forced in a direction .to open the clamp by a torsional spring 36, one end of which is engaged with one of the supports13, and the other end of which engages an arm 37 extending vertically from the rock shaft. The upper end of the arm 37 carries an adjustable screw 38, the end of which engages abearing block 39 on the cutter yoke 26 when the work clamp is in position to receive the work. \Vhen the cutter is operated, the movement of the yoke 26 moves the arm 37 forward, thus rocking the rock shaft 34 in a direction to close the work clamp. After the work clamp has been thus closed it is held closed until the sewing of the but- I tonhole is completed and the clamp moved into position for the removal of the work preparatory to the next cycle of operations. The devices for holding the clamp closed comprise a spring-pressed latching pin 40 mounted in a vertical projection on the hub of one of the arms 33 and arranged to engage a shoulder 41 on one of the supports 13 (Fig. 4). The shoulder 41 is formed at the lower end of a bearing 42 in which a spring-pressed latch operating pin 43 is mounted to move vertically; The latch operating pin is provided at its upper end with a V-shaped .head 44 arranged to cooperate with a stationary cam 45. The cam 45 is pivoted in a bracket secured to the head of the machine, and is provided with a tail piece 46 which prevents movement of thecam toward the right in Fig. 4. The cam is held in normal position by, a spring '47 which will yield to allow the cam to move toward the left. When the clamp is closed by the movement of the cutter in cutting the material, the latch 40 snaps up in front of the shoulder 41 and holds the clamp in closed position. During the forward movement'of the clamp carriage the head of the latch operating pin rides under the cam 45, and the cam yields to allow the head to pass freely by it. After the head of the pin has passed, the cam returns to its normal position; After the buttonhole has been sewed the clampis returned to its initial position, and during this movement the cam 45 acts to press the latch operating pin downward, thus disengaging the latch pin from the shoulder 41 and allowing the spring 36 to open the clamp jaws. The opening movement of the clamp is limited by the engagement of the bearlng for the pin 40 with a stop lug 48. A

The clamp carriage 5 is in the form of a skeleton frame, as shown in Fig. 3, which is provided with bearing surfaces 49 arranged to move freely between bearing surfaces 50 formed on the under side of the frame 1 and on the upper side of the turret bracket 21 (Fig. 1). The carriage is also provided with bearing surfaces 51 which move freely between surfaces on the under side of the frame 1 and on supporting plates 52 secured to the frame (Fig. 4). The carriage is moved longitudinally or lengthwise of the buttonhole to shift the work from cutting to sewing position, to feed the .work during the seWing, and to return the work to initial position after the buttonhole is completed, by a cam groove 53 formed in the under side of the cam carrying gear 31, which engages a roll carried on the upper end of a. stud 54 secured in the carriage. The stud passes through apivot block'55 arranged to slide in a slot 56 formed in the frame 1, and forms a pivot about which the carriage is swung to move the work clamp and work laterally in sewing along the sides of the eye of a buttonhole. The devices for swinging the clamp carriage laterally comprise a lever 57 mounted upon the frame 1 and having one end pivotally connected to a block 58 which engages a slot 59 in the rear end of the carriage, and the other end provided with aroll engaging a cam groove formed in the upper face of a gear 60.

The stitch forming devices comprise a straight-eye pointed upper needle 61 which is arranged to pass through the fabric at a certain distance from the edge of the buttoncifiocate through a rotary sleeve 66 under needle and looper are mounted on a rotary turret 88. The turret and sleeve are rotated during the sewing by mechanism ,op-

eluted from the gear 60 so that over-edge work clamp and stitch forming mechanism to .sew about the buttonhole have not been fully described since they are not material to the improvements claimed herein, and are fully described in the application of which the present application is a division.

While it is preferred to employ the specific construction and arrangements of parts shown and described,'it will be understood that this construction and arrangement is not essential to the broader features of the.

invention and may be varied and modified without departing therefrom.

of the invention and specifically described one mechanism in which it may be embodied, what is claimed is 1. A buttonholesewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism and work holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch forming mechanism and relatively moving the stitch forming mechanism and the work holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, an independently actuated cutter, and connections between the cutter'and' clamp through which the entire closing movement of the clamp is effected bymovement of the cutter toward the face of the work.

2. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, cutter and work clamp relatively movable to bring the parts into relative position for cutting or for sewing, means automatically closing the clamp, a latch for holding. the clamp closed during the sewing, and'mea'ns for releasing the clamp by the relative movement of the parts from sewing to cutting relation.

3. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a cutter,'a work clamp movable from cutting to sewing position, means )for closing the clamp by the cutter, a latch for holding the clamp during the sewing, and devices for disengaging the latch by movement of the clamp at the completion of the sewing.

4. A buttonhole sewing machine, having,

.in combination, stitch forming mechanism and a work clamp relatively movable to bring the parts into relative position for receiving the work or for sewing, mechanismautomatically closing the clamp, means formamas and the a effected by movement of Having explained the nature and object latching the clamp closed, and devices for releasing the clamp operated by the relative movement of the clamp and stitch forming mechanism into work receiving position.

5. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a cutter, a clamp movable from the cutter to the stitch forming mechanism, means for closing the clamp, a latch for holding the clamp closed, an actuator for releasing the latch, and a fixed cam past which the actuator is carried by the movement of the clamp from sewing to cutting position.

6. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism and a work holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch forming mechanism and relatively moving it and the work holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutter, a cutter carrying lever, mechanism ac- 'altll will tuating the lever to move the cutter toward nism and the work holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutter mounted in fixed relation to the stitch forming mechanism, and connections between the cutter and the clamp for closing the clamp by movement of the cutter.

8'. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch forming mechanism and relatively moving the stitch forming mechanism and the work holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutter, connections between the cutter and clamp through which the entire closing movement of the clamp is effected by movement of the cutter toward the face of the work, and connections for automatically opening the clamp' after the completion of the sewing.

9. A buttonhole sewingmachine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work holding clamp comprising work sup porting plates and cooperating pivoted clamp carrying arms, a rock shaft provided with arms bearing on the clamp carrying arms, mechanism for relatively actuating the stitch forming mechanism and work clamp to sew about a buttonhole, mechanism automatically actuating the-rock shaft to close the clamp prior to the sewing, a latch for retaining the shaft in position during the sewing, and connections for releasing the latch after the completion of the sewing.

10. A buttonholesewing machine, having,

- prior to the sewing, means for holding the y in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work holding clamp comprising work supporting plates and cooperating pivoted clamp carrying arms, a rock shaft arranged above the clamp carrying arms and provided with arms the free ends of whichbear on the clamp carrying arms, mechanism for relatively actuating the stitch forming mechanism and clamp to sew about a buttonhole, mechanism automatically actuating therockshaft to close the clamp relatively actuating the clamp and stitch forming mechanism to sew about a buttonhole.

12. A buttonhole sewing machine, hav 1ng, in combination, stitch forming mechanlsm, a work clamp, feed mechanism for moving the clamp, a buttonhole cutter, cutter actuating means moving with the feed mechanism, and connections between the cutter and clamp for closing the clamp by the movement of the cutter.

13. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with slit-cutting mechanism including cooperating cutting elements and a rock lever carrying one of said cutting elements, and a work holder having separable upper and lower clamping members and a controlling rock shaft therefor provided with an arm arranged to be engaged by the rock lever.

14. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with stitch forming mechanism, slit-cutting mechanism including a c uttercarrying lever mounted in fixed relation to the stitch-forming mechanism, and a traveling work holder having upper and lower clamping members separable to release and clamp the work, and a controlling rock shaft for said work holder mounted to partake of the traveling movements of the same and provided with an arm, of clamp-closing means acting upon said arm of the clamp controlling rock-shaft and operatively connected with and operated by said cuttercarrying lever to effect the final closing of the work-holder substantially simultaneously with the slit-cutting action.

15. In a button hole sewing machine, the combination with slit-cutting mechanism innewness eluding cooperating cutting elements and a rock-lever mounted on a fixed fulcrum and clamp to sew about a buttonhole, an independently actuated non-traveling cutter, and connections between the cutter and clamp for closing the clamp by movement of the cutter toward the face of the work.

17 A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch-forming mechanism and a work-holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch-forming mechanism and relatively moving it and the work-holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutter, a cutter-carrying lever mounted in fixed relation to the stitch forming mechanism, mechanism actuating the lever to move the cutter toward and from the material, and connections between said lever and clamp for closing the clamp by movement of the lever toward the material.

18. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch-forming mechanism and a work-holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch-forming mechanism and relatively moving it and the work-holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutter comprising cooperating cutting elements, a lever mounted in fixed relation to the stitch forming mechanism carrying one of said cutting elements, mechanism for actuating the vlever to move said cutting element toward and from the material, and means for establishing operative connection between said lever and the work-clamp whereby the latter is closed upon the material.

19. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch-forming mechanism and a work-holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch-forming mechanism and relatively moving the stitch-forming mechanism and the work-holding clamp to sew about a buttonhole, a cutting device mounted in fixed relation to the stitch-forming mechanism and mounted independently of the work-holding clamp and actuated inde pendently of the stitch-forming mechanism, and connections between the cutting device and the clamp for closing the clamp by movement of the cutter toward the face of the work, i

20. In a buttonhole sewing machine, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work-holder having upper and lower clamping members separable to admit the work, a controlling rock-shaft therefor provided with an arm, slit-cutting mechanism comprising a cutting element, a pivotally mounted carrier therefor mounted in. fixed relation to the, stitch forming mechanism, actuating means for said carrier, and means independent of said actuating means for establishing operative connection between said arm of theclamp-controlling rock-shaft and said carrier for effecting the final closing of the work-holder substantially simultaneously with the slit-cutting action.

- 21. In a buttonhole sewing machine, in combination, a work-holder having upper and-lower clamping members separable to admit the work, a controlling rock-shaft therefor'provided with an arm, slit-cutting mechanism comprising a cutting element, a carrier therefor, a fixed fulcrum for said carrier mounted substantially parallel with said controlling rock-shaft, actuating'means for said carrier, and means independent of said actuating means for establishing operative connection between said arm of the clamp-controlling rock-shaft and said carrier for effecting the final closing of the work-holder substantially simultaneously with the slit-cutting action. a Y

22. A buttonhole sewing machine, having,

in combination, stitch-forming mechanism, a

work-holding clamp, mechanism for actuating the stitch-forming mechanism feed mechanism for relatively moving the stitch-forming mechanism and the Work-holding clamp to 'sew about a buttonhole, a cutter, cutter, operating mechanism connected with the feed mechanism, connections between the cutter and clamp for closing the clamp by the cutting movement 'of' the cutter, and means timed in its action by a comiection with a moving member of the machine for automatically opening the clamp after the completion. of the sewing.

28. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a work clamp, a feed cam for moving the clamp, a buttonhole cutter, a cutter operating cam moving with the feed cam, and 1 clamp closing means operated by the cutter operating cam.

latch for holdingrthe clamp closed during its travel, and means for operating the latch to release the clamp by the movement of the clamp from sewing to work receiving position after the completion of the sewing.

26. A buttonhole sewing machine, having, in combination, stitch forming mechanism, a

traveling work clamp movable into work receiving and into sewing positions, mechanism automatically closing the clamp when in work receiving 4 position, independent latching means for holding the clamp closed during its travel, and a fixed unlatching device mounted to permit free forward move ment of the latchin means and to "operate said means and rel e ase the clamp during the return of the clamp from sewing to work receiving position.

'27. A buttonhole sewing machine, having,

in combination, stitch forming mechanism,

a clamp carriage, mechanism for moving the clamp carriage lengthwise of the buttonhole before, after and during the sewing, work clamping means on the carriage comprising upper clamping members, arock shaft and connections through which the clamping members are closed by rotation of the rock shaft, mechanism for automatically rocking the shaft to close the clamping members, a latch for latching the rock shaft and clamping'members in closed position,

' and an unlatching device mounted on a fixed part of the machine to permit free forward movement of the latch and to operate the latch and release the clamp by the return movement of the carriage after the completion of abuttonhole.

' GEORGE S. HILL.

Witnesses: 4

Cnns'ran E. Rooms,

RUTH E. WARD. 

